- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Tom Wallisch: From Pennsylvania to Park City Freestyle Skiing Icon
The former pro skier and Olympic analyst has called Utah home since 2006, building a career and community around his passion for the mountains.
Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:03pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Tom Wallisch, a former professional freestyle skier, has been a Park City resident since 2012 after first arriving in Utah in 2006 to attend the University of Utah's business school. Wallisch's skiing talents have been featured in over 25 ski films and documentaries, and he has served as an NBC Sports analyst for the 2022 Beijing Olympics and the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. Despite taking a seven-year hiatus from his studies to compete and chase Olympic dreams, Wallisch eventually earned his business administration degree, using his education to navigate the business side of professional skiing.
Why it matters
Wallisch's story highlights how Utah's world-class skiing and snowboarding scene has attracted top talent from across the country, with many, like Wallisch, putting down roots in places like Park City. His journey from Pennsylvania teen to freestyle skiing icon showcases the state's ability to cultivate homegrown action sports stars, while his work as a TV analyst demonstrates Utah's continued prominence on the global winter sports stage.
The details
Wallisch first came to Utah in 2006, drawn by the proximity to snow and the reputation of the University of Utah's business school. He would take a full course load in the fall and summer, but winters were reserved for skiing, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the sport. After a seven-year hiatus spent competing, traveling, and chasing Olympic dreams, Wallisch eventually earned his business administration degree, using his education to navigate the business side of professional skiing. During that time, he earned icon status in freestyle skiing, winning gold medals at the Winter X Games and FIS Freestyle World Championship.
- Wallisch first arrived in Utah in 2006.
- He has lived in Park City since 2012.
- Wallisch won gold in slopestyle at the 2012 Winter X Games.
- He won gold in slopestyle at the 2013 FIS Freestyle World Championship.
- Wallisch set the world record for the longest urban rail slide on skis (424 feet) in 2016.
The players
Tom Wallisch
A former professional freestyle skier who has been a Park City resident since 2012 after first arriving in Utah in 2006 to attend the University of Utah's business school.
University of Utah
The university Wallisch attended, drawn by its proximity to world-class skiing and its business school.
Woodward Park City
A facility where Wallisch now coaches and mentors young freestyle riders.
NBCUniversal
The media company that has employed Wallisch as a freestyle snowboarding analyst for the 2022 Beijing Olympics and the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.
Ryan Wyble
Wallisch's college roommate at the University of Utah, who is now a U.S. Freestyle Ski Team coach.
David Euler
Wallisch's college roommate at the University of Utah, who is now a U.S. Freestyle Ski Team coach.
What they’re saying
“It made a huge impact. It feels like a no brainer to the IOC.”
— Tom Wallisch (parkrecord.com)
“It's going to be so much fun. Otherwise, I guess I'll just be a spectator right here.”
— Tom Wallisch (parkrecord.com)
“To have the spring off where I was fully engrossed in skiing felt like one of the greatest attributes to my longevity in the sport.”
— Tom Wallisch (parkrecord.com)
“The reason I've never left is the community of friends. You can't leave once you've developed such close, personal friendships all because of our love for the outdoors and for being in the mountains.”
— Tom Wallisch (parkrecord.com)
“Woodward is literally the coolest place. I'm so jealous that it wasn't here when I moved out.”
— Tom Wallisch (parkrecord.com)
What’s next
Wallisch is expected to continue his role as a TV analyst for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, providing expert commentary on the freestyle skiing events.
The takeaway
Tom Wallisch's journey from Pennsylvania teen to Park City freestyle skiing icon showcases Utah's ability to attract and cultivate top winter sports talent, with the state's world-class skiing and snowboarding scene serving as a major draw for athletes like Wallisch who have gone on to achieve greatness in their respective disciplines.
